Slide fender with formed flexible protector

ABSTRACT

A fender assembly (10) secured to a slidable member (14) of a machine tool, such as the wheelhead of a grinding machine, to seal and protect the guide ways (11,12) of a stationary slide (13). The assembly includes a formed flexible protector (17) mounted between inner and outer fenders (18, 19). The slide fender assembly (10) is pivotally secured to the wheelhead (14) and the stationary slide (13) and rotates in a counterclockwise direction to cover the ways when the grinding wheel is advanced for stock removal. The flexible protector (17) is molded of urethane or other moisture-proof material, to enable its thin walls to flex by a rolling loop principle to take up and release slack material.

United States Patent Price et al.

[54] SLIDE FENDER WITH FORMED FLEXIBLE PROTECTOR [73] Assignee: Landis Tool Company [22] Filed: June 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No 45,652

[52] U.S. Cl. ..5l/268, 143/47 D, 51/355 [51] Int. Cl ..B24b 55/04 [58] Field of Search ..51/268, 274, 272, 32,34 C, 51/34 D, 34 E, 262, 355, 273; 77/55; 90/11 R;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,229,598 l/l94l Nash ..5l/273 2,867,064 1/1959 Hermansson ..51/272 Primary Examiner-Wil1iam R. Armstrong Attorney-David S. Urey ABSTRACT A fender assembly (10) secured to a slidable member (14) of a machine tool, such as the wheelhead of a grinding machine, to seal and protect the guide ways (1 1,12) ofa stationary slide (13). The assembly includes a formed flexible protector 17) mounted between inner and outer fenders l8, 19). The slide fender assembly (10) is pivotally secured to the wheelhead (14) and the stationary slide (13) and rotates in a counterclockwise direction to cover the ways when the grinding wheel is advanced for stock removal. The flexible protector 17) is molded of urethane or other moisture-proof material, to enable its thin walls to flex by a rolling loop principle to take up and release slack material.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATEHTEDAPR 4 m2 SHEET 1 [IF 3 INVENTOR RALPH E PRICE KURT M. GEBEL PATENTED PR 41912 SHEET 2 0F 3 INVENTOR RALPH E. PRICE KURT MGEBEL SLIDE FENDER WITH FORMED FLEXIBLE PROTECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in a slide fender assembly for a machine tool wherein a flexible protector is utilized to protect the guide ways of a support member or slide from contaminants. The assembly is pivotally secured between the movable tool advancing portion of the machine and the slide. As the tool is advanced toward the work, the fender assembly rotates so that the flexible protector keeps the guide ways of the machine covered at all times.

Prior to this invention, a slide fender included pivotably mounted telescoping sections which were radially positioned through movement of the wheelhead. The slide fender deflected some coolant, metal dust and abrasive particles when combined with a splash guard; however, the ways of the slide were not completely sealed and were subject to wear from the above contaminates which affected the precise movement of the wheelhead.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, the machine tool includes a stationary slide and a movable tool supporting member mounted for motion thereon. The slide and the tool supporting member have parallel guide ways which must be sealed and protected against contaminants as the tool engages a workpiece. The machine includes an inner fender which is pivotally connected to the movable tool supporting member and the slide. An outer fender is pivotally connected to the tool supporting member and extends over the front and side portions of the stationary slide. A formed flexible protector is mounted between the inner and outer fenders and is provided with portions which extend over the front and sides ofthe stationary slide. Facilities are provided for uniting the outer fender and the protector to the inner fender to form a single fender assembly which seals and protects the ways of the tool supporting member and the slide against contaminants.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a shield to protect the guide ways of a machine tool from the entry of dirt, abrasive particles, and coolant.

Another object is to provide controlled movement ofa flexible protector through the pivotable movement of an inner and outer slide fender to provide protection over a relatively long span of movement.

Another further object is to strengthen the flexible protector by means of the inner and outer slide fenders, without restricting the required movement ofthe protector.

Another still further object is to provide a flexible protector having a shape which is self-cleaning, thereby preventing any dirt, abrasive particles, or coolant spray from building up on the protector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a cylindrical grinding machine embodying the present invention and showing the grinding wheel and the slide fender assembly including the flexible protector;

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevation view taken from the right of FIG. 1 showing the position of the slide fender assembly and the flexible protector with the wheelhead in the retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation view taken from the right of FIG. 1 showing the position of the slide fender assembly and the protector when the wheelhead is in the advanced position;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the rolling loop formed by the protector with the wheel support in the extreme retracted position; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 2 showing the housing for the flexible protector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a conventional cylindrical grinding machine on which the present invention has been mounted. A slide fender assembly or cover 10 is used for protecting V-shaped and flat machined ways 11, 12, respectively, that are formed across the top of a support member or slide 13. The slide 13 supports a wheel support or wheelhead 14, which houses a conventional wheel spindle assembly. US. Pat. No. 3,285,679, issued Nov. 16, 1966 gives a detailed description of a spindle assembly. The invention, by way of example, will be described with reference to a grinding machine, it being understood that the invention has application to other machine tools.

A grinding wheel 15 is secured to a wheel spindle l6 and is advanced by the transverse movement of the wheelhead 14 by any conventional means (See arrow 14a FIG. 2). As will be seen by a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3, the forward movement of the wheelhead 14 to position the grinding wheel 15 in an operative position causes the slide fender assembly 10 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction (arrow 10a). This places the assembly 10 in a position to shield the ways l1, 12 from coolant, metal dust, abrasive particles, chips and other debris which might otherwise become lodged between the ways and the slide 13.

The slide fender assembly 10 includes a flexible thin-walled protector 17 which is supported and mounted on an inner fender assembly 18 made of metal sheets, for example. Surrounding the protector 17 is an outer fender 19 made, for example, of sheet metal, for shielding the protector from the larger flying debris which might otherwise damage the protector 17. The outer fender 19 extends across the front and top of the protector l7 and may wrap around the sides thereof also.

The flexible protector 17 preferably is formed in one piece and includes side portions 20 in the general shape of a trapezium. The protector 17 is molded of urethane or other moistureproof material which is flexible enough to enable the thinwalled side portions 20 to be angularly folded as shown in FIG. 4 on each side of the wheelhead 14. The side portions 20 of the protector 17 are interconnected by a front portion 22 and a top portion 23 which is downwardly sloping. Each of the side portions 20 includes a curved wing 24 which forms a rolling loop 26. The loop 26 provides slack to permit the protector 17 to be unrolled as the wheelhead 14 is retracted from the position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 2.

The inner fender assembly 18 is secured to the front of the wheelhead 14 by a continuous hinge 28 (FIG. 1) extending across the entire front of the wheelhead 14. The inner fender assembly 18 also includes hinges 29 and 31. An elongated support member 32 is mounted between the hinges 28 and 29; and a similar support member 33 is mounted between the hinges 29 and 31. The hinge 31, being secured to the front of the slide 13, remains stationary during a machining cycle, while the hinge 28 advances and retracts with the wheelhead 14. The hinge 29 rotates in a counterclockwise direction as the wheelhead l4 advances, as seen by a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3.

The protector 17 is secured to the inner fender assembly 18 by a series of fasteners or screws 34 (FIG. 2) which clamp the outer fender 19 to the inner fender assembly 18. The fender assembly 10 may be of any suitable shape which will enable coolant spray to carry the metal dust and abrasive particles into a drainage trough 35.

A resilient lip 37 (FIG. 2) is formed on the rear of the protector 17 to provide a continuous seal extending across the front of the wheelhead l4 and down each side of the slide 13 to form the front portion of each curved wing 24 (FIG. 4). The upper most or central section of the protector 17 is secured to the wheelhead 14 by a clamp 38. The end portions of the lip 37 are secured to a right-hand cover or enclosure 39 and a left-hand cover or enclosure 41 of the wheelhead 14 by clamp members 42 (one shown). The covers 39 and 41 are spaced from the side of the wheelhead 14 by members 43 and 44 to thereby form and seal the area confining the rolled loop 26 of the curved wings 24. The lower front portion of the protector 17 is clamped to the front of the slide 13 by a clamp 46 extending across the width of the slide 13.

An additional flexible strip 51 is secured to the clamp 38 by a clamp member 52 and screws 53. The strip 51 extends across the front of the wheelhead l4 and the rear portion of the fender assembly to prevent contaminates from entering the fender assembly.

In operation, forward movement of the wheelhead l4 pivots the inner fender assembly 18 counterclockwise about axes 57, 58 and 59. The protector 17 is deflected about the axes 57, 58 and 59, while the outer fender 19 is only pivoted at axis 57.

The lower front portion of the protector 17 is folded over the front of slide 13 when the wheelhead 14 is advanced, as shown in H0. 3. The sides of the protector 17 are urged rearwardly, and the angular overlap of the rolled loop 26 is increased.

An additional fold 61 may be developed along the front lower portions of the side portions 20. These folds are confined by the internal surfaces of the outer fender 19.

When the wheelhead 14 is retracted, the slide fender assembly 10 is pivoted clockwise until the outer fender 19, the inner fender assembly 18 and the protector 17 are returned to their normal position as shown in H6. 2. The angular overlap of the rolled loop 26 is reduced and the additional fold 61 at the front of the protector 17 would also be eliminated.

This invention has been described as being applied to protect the guide ways of a wheel support member; however, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be used to protect any similar area or surface from contaminates without departing from the scope of the subject invention.

it is to be understood that only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically illustrated and described, and variations may be made thereto without departing from the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

WE CLAIM:

l. in a machine tool having a stationary slide, a movable tool supporting member mounted for motion thereon, said slide and tool supporting member having parallel guide ways, and means for sealing and protecting the guide ways, which comprises:

an inner fender pivotably connected to the movable tool supporting member and the stationary slide,

an outer fender pivotably connected to the tool supporting member and extending over the front and side portions of the stationary slide,

a formed flexible protector mounted between the inner and outer fenders having portions which extend over the front and sides of the stationary slide, and

means for uniting the outer fendef and the protector to the inner fender to form a single fender assembly which seals and protects the guide ways of the tool supporting member and the slide against contaminants.

2. A machine tool as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said outer fender has a generally flat and downwardly sloping top, and a generally flat, vertical front and wherein said outer fender is rotated approximately 90 when the tool supporting member advances the tool into work engaging relationship so that the top portion becomes the front portion and the front portion encloses the bottom.

3. The machine tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the tool supporting member has enclosures on either side for receiving the side portions of the flexible protector, and wherein said side portions of the flexible protector are mounted in the form of a loop within said enclosures for taking up and releasing the side portions as the tool supporting member moves back and forth.

4. The machine tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner fender comprises:

a first generally flat top member pivotally connected on a first axis to the tool supporting member; a second generally flat front member pivotally connected on a second axis to the slideand said first and second members being connected at their intermediate ends by a hinge for permitting pivotal movement about a third axis as the tool supporting member advances toward the workpiece.

5. The machine tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said flexible protector has a lip thereon which extends across the front of the tool supporting member and down each side portion thereof; and, which further includes clamping means extending across the front and sides of the tool advancing member in engagement with the lip to seal the member against contaminants.

6. A shield for protecting the parallel guide ways of the movable wheelhead and the stationary slide of a grinding machine from contaminants as the grinding wheel removes material from a workpiece, which comprises:

a flexible protector which extends across the front of the wheelhead and around the sides thereof;

an inner supporting fender pivotally mounted to both the wheelhead and the slide for supporting the flexible protector, and

an outer fender pivotally mounted over the flexible protector to safeguard the protector against flying debris, so that as the wheelhead is advanced toward the workpiece the flexible protector and the outer fender pivot into position to shield the parallel guide ways from contaminants.

7. A shield as recited in claim 6, wherein:

said outer fender has a generally flat and downwardly sloping top, and a generally flat, vertical front and wherein said outer fender is rotated approximately when the wheelhead advances the grinding wheel into work engaging relationship so that the top portion becomes the front portion and the front portion encloses the bottom.

8. A shield as recited in claim 6, wherein the wheelhead has enclosures on either side for receiving the side portions of the flexible protector, and wherein said side portions of the flexible protector are mounted in form of a loop within said enclosures for taking up and releasing the side portions as the wheelhead moves back and forth.

9. A shield as recited in claim 6, wherein said inner fender comprises:

a first generally flat top member pivotally connected on a first axis to the wheelhead; a second generally flat front member pivotally connected on a second axis to the slide; and

said first and second members being connected at their intermediate ends by a hinge for permitting pivotal movement about a third axis as the wheelhead advances toward the workpiece.

10. A shield as recited in claim 6, wherein said flexible protector has a lip thereon which extends across the front of the wheelhead and down each side portion thereof; and, which further includes, clamping means extending across the front and sides of the wheelhead in engagement with the lip to seal the wheelhead against contaminants.

11. A shield as recited in claim 6, wherein said side portion of the flexible protector is in the general shape of a trapezium.

12. A shield as recited in claim 6, wherein said flexible protector is a molded one-piece enclosure made of a moistureproof material. 

1. In a machine tool having a stationary slide, a movable tool supporting member mounted for motion thereon, said slide and tool supporting member having parallel guide ways, and means for sealing and protecting the guide ways, which comprises: an inner fender pivotably connected to the movable tool supporting member and the stationary slide, an outer fender pivotably connected to the tool supporting member and extending over the front and side portions of the stationary slide, a formed flexible protector mounted between the inner and outer fenders having portions which extend over the front and sides of the stationary slide, and means for uniting the outer fender and the protector to the inner fender to form a single fender assembly which seals and protects the guide ways of the tool supporting member and the slIde against contaminants.
 2. A machine tool as recited in claim 1, wherein: said outer fender has a generally flat and downwardly sloping top, and a generally flat, vertical front and wherein said outer fender is rotated approximately 90* when the tool supporting member advances the tool into work engaging relationship so that the top portion becomes the front portion and the front portion encloses the bottom.
 3. The machine tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the tool supporting member has enclosures on either side for receiving the side portions of the flexible protector, and wherein said side portions of the flexible protector are mounted in the form of a loop within said enclosures for taking up and releasing the side portions as the tool supporting member moves back and forth.
 4. The machine tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner fender comprises: a first generally flat top member pivotally connected on a first axis to the tool supporting member; a second generally flat front member pivotally connected on a second axis to the slide; and said first and second members being connected at their intermediate ends by a hinge for permitting pivotal movement about a third axis as the tool supporting member advances toward the workpiece.
 5. The machine tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said flexible protector has a lip thereon which extends across the front of the tool supporting member and down each side portion thereof; and, which further includes clamping means extending across the front and sides of the tool advancing member in engagement with the lip to seal the member against contaminants.
 6. A shield for protecting the parallel guide ways of the movable wheelhead and the stationary slide of a grinding machine from contaminants as the grinding wheel removes material from a workpiece, which comprises: a flexible protector which extends across the front of the wheelhead and around the sides thereof; an inner supporting fender pivotally mounted to both the wheelhead and the slide for supporting the flexible protector, and an outer fender pivotally mounted over the flexible protector to safeguard the protector against flying debris, so that as the wheelhead is advanced toward the workpiece the flexible protector and the outer fender pivot into position to shield the parallel guide ways from contaminants.
 7. A shield as recited in claim 6, wherein: said outer fender has a generally flat and downwardly sloping top, and a generally flat, vertical front and wherein said outer fender is rotated approximately 90* when the wheelhead advances the grinding wheel into work engaging relationship so that the top portion becomes the front portion and the front portion encloses the bottom.
 8. A shield as recited in claim 6, wherein the wheelhead has enclosures on either side for receiving the side portions of the flexible protector, and wherein said side portions of the flexible protector are mounted in form of a loop within said enclosures for taking up and releasing the side portions as the wheelhead moves back and forth.
 9. A shield as recited in claim 6, wherein said inner fender comprises: a first generally flat top member pivotally connected on a first axis to the wheelhead; a second generally flat front member pivotally connected on a second axis to the slide; and said first and second members being connected at their intermediate ends by a hinge for permitting pivotal movement about a third axis as the wheelhead advances toward the workpiece.
 10. A shield as recited in claim 6, wherein said flexible protector has a lip thereon which extends across the front of the wheelhead and down each side portion thereof; and, which further includes, clamping means extending across the front and sides of the wheelhead in engagement with the lip to seal the wheelhead against contaminants.
 11. A shield as recited in claim 6, wherein said side portion of the flexible protector is in tHe general shape of a trapezium.
 12. A shield as recited in claim 6, wherein said flexible protector is a molded one-piece enclosure made of a moisture-proof material. 